From Z to E36/46 M3 Cabrio

[Dino D]

I love my 2.8 Z and frankly cannot imagine what a handful the M version must be. Something a bit scary about 300+ horses in a tiny Z but I would like to make the upgrade one day.

That aside I'll need to get something with more seats in the next year or 2 as then I can use my 'fun' car more often than it gets used now (3 young kids to take places means the Galaxy V6 has to do!)

So I'm thinking after this Z instead if going up to an Z3M rather go for a M3 cabrio.
I've had a E46 330i in the past and in that size car it has to be an M, the normal ones are just too civil compared with my Z granted my Z has allot of mods to make it the way I want). Also no LSD on the normal 3series and I like a LSD.

I'd always go cabrio and happy with compromise in rigidity compared with the coupe as lap times are not priority.

E36 Evo's seem to be under 5k now for good ones. E46's quite a bit more.

I'm just wondering what peoples experiences have been making the change either way?

 

[t-tony]

I love my 2.8 Z and frankly cannot imagine what a handful the M version must be. Something a bit scary about 300+ horses in a tiny Z but I would like to make the upgrade one day.

That aside I'll need to get something with more seats in the next year or 2 as then I can use my 'fun' car more often than it gets used now (3 young kids to take places means the Galaxy V6 has to do!)

So I'm thinking after this Z instead if going up to an Z3M rather go for a M3 cabrio.
I've had a E46 330i in the past and in that size car it has to be an M, the normal ones are just too civil compared with my Z granted my Z has allot of mods to make it the way I want). Also no LSD on the normal 3series and I like a LSD.

I'd always go cabrio and happy with compromise in rigidity compared with the coupe as lap times are not priority.

E36 Evo's seem to be under 5k now for good ones. E46's quite a bit more.

I'm just wondering what peoples experiences have been making the change either way?

I can't really compare like for like Dino but I will point out that my wife has a VW Eos which overall is a great looking car, black with while leather, and is good in the front with the top folded. However riding in the back is a different matter altogether, except on a very warm day it's not a really pleasant experience.

 

[zedonist]

I would get rid of the Galaxy and get 200+ BHP T5, you will have more smiles per mile than an M3 and have a very practical vehicle to boot, plus you then have the Z3 for no kid action.

 

[t-tony]

If only they made a T5 cabrio. But wait, I've got a Stihl saw.

 

[badman gee]

I do like the e46 m3 coupe. It's a great everyday car.

 

[z3cade]

E36 M3 cabs are same age if not older than the Z3Ms so will need a lot if tlc to be used as a daily. Plus good ones are very hard to find. Only bonus is there under 5k.
In all honesty you would have as much fun in a remapped 320d/330d E46 cab with the bonus of cheaper running costs as a daily

 

[Dino D]

I've used my Z for over 20k miles as a daily and the TLC hasn't been that much. It's 109k now, 1998 model.
I've run many cars this age so not that worried about tlc to be honest.

There is quite a good selection of nice E36 cabs at the moment, seen some immaculate looking ones with full history etc. the cabs seem to be more pampered as they are less of a drivers car I guess.

For me the engine sound is key to the cars enjoyment, not outright speed.
Even the family bus sounds good with its Vr6 lump, the back box is rusting on it so want to sneak a powerflow unit on it and hope the wife doesn't notice...my son can't wait as he sits at the rearmost seat over the exhaust!
I can't imagine listening to a diesel in a cabrio!

I want to run great sounding 'ordinary' cars for as long as they continue to exist!

I even ran my 330i on lpg when I was doing 20k miles a year rather than but a diesel model, I'm die hard petrol man for as long as I can!

 

[z3cade]

If your happy to maintain an M3 cab then go for it if possible try to find one that's had a lot of work/upgrades.

Look out for rusty arches on the E36 M3s.

 

[badman gee]

Or buy an e46 m3.

 

[zedonist]

They

If only they made a T5 cabrio. But wait, I've got a Stihl saw.

They do it's called a pop top.

 

[Dino D]

If your happy to maintain an M3 cab then go for it if possible try to find one that's had a lot of work/upgrades.

Look out for rusty arches on the E36 M3s.

Do you know I they are allot more to look after than non Ms?
I'm aware of the 'M tax' on M specific parts, that vanos will probably need doing if not done.
The rest like suspension, bushes, cooling system, rust crank/can sensors, MAF and exhaust are common wear items across the board really. So either will have been done or need doing.
Not looking at SMG.
I bought my Z with allot of these things done already and would look to do the same on a M3.

Are e46 not even more rusty than e36?
They do command a serious premium over the e46. I wonder if the drive is actually worth the money. It certainly looks more special.

 

[z3cade]

I looked for over 6 months to find a good condition E46 330ci for my father. A lot of them were rust buckets and badly maintained. We ended up finding an early 2001 330ci with full history, perfect body work with factory hardtop.
There are good examples of most models out there but its finding them that's the problem.

Private sale, enthusiast owned cars are the ones to find. I found that most dealership owner cars were a complete waist of time, always stating there 'stunning' when they were rubbish